Challenge
IF WE HAVE TIME TO VISIT STATUES, WHY CAN'T WE EVER FIND TIME TO VISIT SOMEONE WHO WOULD BE HAPPY TO SEE US?
Every year, more than 20 million people visit Barcelona. They stroll through its streets, take photos of its monuments, and stop to admire such well-known statues as those of Sant Jordi, Antoni Gaudí, Frederic Soler, Anne Frank, Pepita Teixidor, Charlie Rivel, and Carmen Amaya.
But while all these public figures receive thousands of glances every day, there are many people with those same names who haven’t received a visit, a phone call, or even a simple “good morning” in weeks .
One in five people in Catalonia lives in unwanted loneliness*. If we take a broader view of the situation, we see that this is not an isolated phenomenon: in Europe, more than 30 million people feel lonely, and one in four young people also experience this**. Unwanted loneliness can arise at any stage of life and is often much closer than we realize.
Solution
JUST AS THE ACTIVIST ROSA PARKS SAID " NO," WE AT ROSAPARKS ALSO SAY " NO"—IN THIS CASE, TO UNWANTED LONELINESS.
And we’ve done so by joining Sant Joan de Déu’s call to action —an organization that works every day to ensure that no one has to face loneliness without support.
We have transformed some of Barcelona’s most iconic statues to draw attention to unwanted loneliness and remind people that, just a few meters away from these statues that receive so many visitors, there are people with those same names who receive none…and who are waiting for them.
THE TRULY MONUMENTAL THING IS TO BE THERE FOR PEOPLE WHO FEEL LONELY.
WHO ARE YOU GOING TO VISIT TODAY?
These are Antoni, Pepita, Carmen, Jordi, and Frederic…But I'm sure you know someone who's waiting for you, too. Why not go visit them?
THE BEST VISIT YOU CAN MAKE TODAY ISN'T TO A STATUE.
IT'S TO A PERSON WHO WILL BE GLAD TO SEE YOU.
WE ARE JOINING THE CAUSE OF SANT JOAN DE DÉU
Sant Joan de Déu supports people of all ages who are experiencing or at risk of experiencing unwanted loneliness. They do so through their social and health centers, offering community programs, group activities, safe spaces for young people, outreach initiatives, emotional support, volunteer opportunities, and support networks designed to ensure that no one is left isolated.
Their work is ongoing: identifying loneliness, preventing it, and breaking it through everyday gestures that forge real connections.
A table where you can sit down and talk, a walk, a workshop with others, a timely phone call. Small actions that help build community.
WOULD YOU LIKE TO JOIN US?
LEARN MORE AND JOIN US HERE.
WE'VE ALREADY DONE IT!
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